NCA's Doctoral Program Guide

Cornell University, Department of Communication

The graduate program in the Department of Communication at Cornell University is geared toward training and mentoring the next generation of Communication scholars. Students, all of whom are financially supported, have the opportunity to work closely with top faculty on cutting-edge research, take courses with world-class scholars across campus, and actively participate in a diverse community of innovators and ideas. Cornell's graduates have gone on to faculty positions at top universities and jobs at the forefront of industry research.

Association of American Universities Member

 

Carnegie "Doctoral University: Very High Research Activity"

 

Communication doctorates conferred between 2010-19: 54

 

Areas of Study 

  • Children, Adolescents, and the Media
  • Cultural & Intercultural Communication
  • Communication and Public Policy
  • Communication of Science & Technology
  • Groups, Organizations, & Communities
  • Health Communication
  • Interactive Media Design
  • Media Psychology
  • Media, Technology, & Society
  • Risk & Environmental Communication
  • Social Influence & Persuasion
  • Social Networks
  • Technology & Social Behavior

Rankings

QS World University Rankings—Communication & Media Studies 

  • #32 of 200 World Universities (tie for #32)

URAP University Rankings—Language, Communication, & Culture

  • #47 of 300 World Universities 

 

Admission Requirements

  • GPA and GRE Scores
  • TOEFL examination - International students are required to take the TOEFL exam, and must score a minimum of 100 (Internet-based), or 250 (computer-based).
  • Statement of Purpose - The statement of purpose should indicate your intellectual interests and any prior research training that you believe has prepared you for our program.
  • Reference Letters - Strong letters of recommendation incorporating details of the applicant's educational and research background are preferred over generalizations about the applicant.
  • Writing Sample - Applicants are required to submit form of scholarly writing such as a sample essay, article, or book chapter that you have written.

Graduate Faculty

  • Professor Rosemary Avery, Ph.D., Ohio State University
  • Associate Professor Natalie Bazarova, Ph.D., Cornell University
  • Associate Professor Sahara Byrne, Ph.D., University of California
  • Associate Professor Dan Cosley, Ph.D., University of Minnesota
  • Assistant Professor Brooke Erin Duffy, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
  • Professor Melissa J. Ferguson, Ph.D., New York University
  • Professor Susan Fussell, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Professor Stephen Hilgartner, Ph.D., Cornell University
  • Associate Professor Lee Humphreys, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania 
  • Associate Professor Steven Jackson, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego
  • Assistant Professor Malte Jung, Ph.D., Stanford University
  • Professor Bruce Lewenstein, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
  • Professor Michael Macy, Ph.D., Harvard University
  • Assistant Professor Drew Margolin, Ph.D., University of Southern California
  • Professor Katherine McComas, Ph.D., Cornell University
  • Professor Poppy McLeod, Ph.D., Harvard University
  • Associate Professor Jeffrey Niederdeppe, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
  • Associate Professor Dawn Schrader, Ed.D., Harvard University 
  • Assistant Professor Jonathon Schuldt, Ph.D., University of Michigan
  • Professor Michael Shapiro, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
  • Assistant Professor Andrea Stevenson Won, Ph.D., Stanford University
  • Associate Professor Alex Susskind, Ph.D., Michigan State University
  • Associate Professor Y. Connie Yuan, Ph.D., University of Southern California